Clemson vs. Syracuse football: Scouting report, score prediction

There are only nine undefeated teams remaining among the Power 5, and two of them will clash Saturday at high noon at Clemson’s Death Valley.

That’s when No. 5 Clemson (7-0, 5-0 ACC) plays host to No. 14 Syracuse (6-0, 3-0) on ABC.

“You don’t get lucky and be undefeated at this point,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.

Or do you?

Syracuse, which was pegged for a last-place finish in the ACC’s Atlantic Division by voters in the preseason poll in July, has created some of its good fortune, to be sure, but also has benefitted from a favorable schedule with five of its first six games at home.

Saturday’s game will be the Orange’s first ACC road game of the season.

Here’s what to know about the matchup and a score prediction:

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Syracuse quarterback: 'This is our year'

Much like Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader has shown marked improvement over 2021. Shrader is completing 69.7 percent of his passes – the second-best figure in the ACC – and has 12 touchdowns against three interceptions.

That has prompted no shortage of confidence, even as his team hits the road to Clemson as a 13½-point underdog.

“This is our year to take them down,” Shrader said. “And there’d be no better way to do it than in Death Valley.”

Clemson defense looking to rebound

Clemson’s defense may be playing with additional incentive after a sub-par performance against Florida State last week. The Tigers won, 34-28, but surrendered a season-high 206 yards rushing and two late touchdowns.

The primary culprit was a season-high 24 missed tackles and Swinney expects a greater sense of urgency against Syracuse.

“This is a very competitive bunch that takes a lot of pride in their performance,” Swinney said of his defense.

Orange, Tigers armed with big-time backs

The game will feature two of the best running backs in the ACC in Syracuse’s Sean Tucker and Clemson’s Will Shipley. Tucker averages 140.3 all-purpose yards per game while Shipley is at 120 yards per game.

Slowing Tucker will be a challenge. He had 157 yards rushing against the Tigers last season and has averaged 6.9 yards per carry against Clemson over the last two seasons.

“(Number) 34 is a true All-American,” Swinney said. “He’s the best we’ve seen. You’ve got to stop 34 because they’re going to give him the ball.”

Tough sledding for the Orange from here

Syracuse’s schedule gets a bit more daunting in the season’s second half. After jump starting its season with five out of six games at home, the Orange must hit the road four times in its final six games, beginning with Clemson.

“They have an amazing streak going on down there,” Syracuse coach Dino Babers said, referring to Clemson’s 37-game home winning streak. “Playing at their place is a very difficult task. But our guys are in good spirits and we’re looking forward to the opportunity.”

Saturday’s game will mark the first time two teams with at least six wins and no losses have faced each other in the 81-year history of Death Valley.

Score prediction

Clemson 31, Syracuse 13: Clemson is 7-0 and riding the nation’s longest active home winning streak at 37 games. Syracuse is 6-0 for the first time since 1987 and seeking its first victory against a ranked opponent since 2018. That’s not going to come this week.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson vs. Syracuse football: Scouting report, score prediction